Hey guys, could anyone with a bit of a history with ironheads tell me which is the best/most reliable/ easy to tune carb available for these beasts (my magnum is around 900cc). What about carbs with accelerator pumps are they good or just droolers?

Also do you fit gaskets under the rocker covers or just use sealant between the metal surfaces? The manual I'm using is for XL/XR 1000cc models (no gasket).
~ Vince

Thanks Steph...but what did the factory fit? I've got a lot of useable carbs including CVs in a box, but would prefer to bolt on something that the factory fitted...preferably with an accelerator pump. I really don't want to stuff around with jets and air bleeds etc, getting correct mixtures on a fresh engine and cause a lean situation. Once it's run in I may want to dial in something else.
So anyone know what came on the ironheads from the factory?
Thanks again ~ Vince

The Bendix carb that came on XLs from 71 -75 was a good dependable unit. I put them on everything for a while. Never use the choke, just a couple of squirts from the pump and crank it. They got kindof a bad name when the adj. main jets became available, some of those kits were just plain junk.

Don't forget the Linkert DC!
In my opinion the most interesting as it is rebuildable with mostly common linkert parts.
Never had complete satisfying results with Keihins before the CV's.
Tillotson was good but when the diaphragm dryed out they became unadjustable afterwards.
Bendix is also a good and easy choice.
Stéph